PHILIPSBURG:---  Minister of Justice Nathalie Tackling on Wednesday outlined a wide range of initiatives underway within the justice chain, including immigration reforms, enhanced border security, customs enforcement, prison reintegration efforts, and upcoming international engagements.

Speaking during the Council of Ministers press briefing, Tackling said the government remains focused on strengthening institutions, improving operational systems, and maintaining transparency with the public.

“Transparency cannot only exist when things go wrong. It must also be present in our everyday work,” the minister stated.

KPSM Officers Recognized

Tackling opened her remarks by congratulating several Korps Politie Sint Maarten officers who successfully completed the Hulpofficier van Justitie certification process.

She described the certification as an important step toward improving professionalism and legal competence within the police force.

“A stronger justice chain begins with capable and well-prepared professionals,” she said.

Immigration Department Vacancies Open

The minister also announced several vacancies within Immigration and Border Protection Services (IBPS), including positions for Director of Immigration, Section Head of Border and Mobile Control Unit, and Border Control Officers.

According to Tackling, additional vacancies are expected in the coming months as the government works to strengthen immigration services and border management.

New Border Security Infrastructure

Tackling further revealed that a new firewall system recently arrived on St. Maarten and will soon be installed across the island’s seaport locations.

The upgrade will allow authorities to deploy the same RADx border management system currently used at Princess Juliana International Airport across all seaports.

“For the first time, we can ensure uniformity between the systems being used at the border,” she explained.

Immigration Permit and Exemption Clarifications

The minister reminded residents that temporary permit holders remain responsible for renewing their documents on time.

She clarified that exemption or dispensation letters will only be issued to individuals who already have active immigration applications on file with government.

“If you don’t have an immigration application active with us at that time, you will not receive the exemption,” Tackling stated.

Between May 4 and May 14, authorities refused entry to 31 persons attempting to enter St. Maarten.

The minister also shared updated immigration statistics for 2025, revealing that 4,177 permit applications were submitted, with 3,665 approved, 288 denied, and 217 still pending.

Customs Seizures and Drug Investigations

Tackling highlighted several customs enforcement operations conducted since the start of the year.

Authorities arrested two individuals linked to suspected weapons and narcotics offenses during the first quarter of 2026. One suspect remains incarcerated pending investigation.

Customs officers are also investigating the discovery of approximately 10 kilograms of cocaine aboard an international vessel docked in St. Maarten.

More recently, customs officers arrested a passenger at a marina after suspected marijuana was discovered in baggage during a routine control.

“These operations reflect the continued work being carried out to strengthen border security, combat illegal activity, and protect our borders,” the minister said.

Prison Reform and Reintegration

The minister additionally addressed ongoing rehabilitation and reintegration efforts within the prison system.

Several initiatives supported by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime are currently focused on education, employability, and second-chance opportunities for inmates.

Tackling encouraged private sector representatives and civil society organizations to participate in upcoming reintegration dialogues scheduled for May 21 and May 26.

“The Ministry believes meaningful reform requires participation from the wider community,” she said.

International Justice Engagements

The minister also announced upcoming participation in two international forums.

Next week, Tackling will attend the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force plenary in Trinidad to discuss St. Maarten’s anti-money laundering progress.

She also confirmed attendance at the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, where St. Maarten has been invited to discuss local justice reforms as a possible regional blueprint.

“These engagements are important because they allow St. Maarten to continue learning, building partnerships, and strengthening our justice system,” Tackling said.

PHILIPSBURG — Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (VROMI) Patrice Gumbs Jr. announced several infrastructure initiatives on Wednesday, including a major drainage project tender, ongoing nationwide road repairs, and plans to rehabilitate sections of the Ring Road.

During the Council of Ministers press briefing, Gumbs confirmed that the Ministry will officially launch a public bid this Friday, May 22, for the design, preparation, and construction management of a drainage system stretching from Cole Bay Union Road to the Simpson Bay Lagoon.

According to the minister, the project is aimed at minimizing flooding and improving public safety during heavy rainfall by directing runoff water into drainage channels leading toward the lagoon.

“The aim of the project is to minimize flooding in the surrounding areas and create a safe zone for motorists, pedestrians, and residents during heavy rainfall,” Gumbs stated.

An information session for interested bidders is scheduled for June 22 at 10:00 a.m., while questions regarding the bid process must be submitted by June 29. Final bids must be submitted through the Mercel platform.

Road Repairs Continue Island-Wide

The minister also announced that road repair works officially commenced last week, beginning near the airport and moving west toward Philipsburg.

This week’s work is being carried out daily between 7:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. and includes several districts across the island.

Areas scheduled for repairs include A.T. Illidge Road, Madame Estate, Mount William Hill, Dutch Quarter, Belvedere, Bishop Hill, Cole Bay Hill, Link One, Octavius Richardson Road, Little Bay Road, and sections of Down Street in Philipsburg.

Motorists were urged to plan ahead for traffic delays and to drive carefully around work crews.

Ring Road Rehabilitation Begins

Gumbs further revealed that the Ministry is moving forward with plans to rehabilitate the Ring Road as part of broader efforts to improve traffic flow and mobility on the island.

Originally designed as a bypass route, the Ring Road has become overgrown and largely unusable over the years.

“The Ministry is undertaking initial site surveys of the entirety of the Ring Road with the express intent to put the road functional once again,” he explained.

Beginning this weekend, VROMI crews will start clearing and leveling the stretch from the traffic lights to the Lion’s Club roundabout on A.T. Illidge Road. Work will continue next week toward Arch Road and adjoining areas.

The minister also warned individuals illegally occupying land along sections of the Ring Road to remove materials from the area.

At the same time, he cautioned residents against using the cleared areas for illegal dumping.

“It is an effort to support mobility and traffic flow, especially as a service route for emergency and first responders,” he said.

Government Launches Sargassum Impact Survey

Additionally, the Ministry has commissioned the Nature Foundation St. Maarten to conduct a public survey examining the impact of sargassum seaweed on residents, businesses, and tourists.

The survey will assess the health, social, and economic consequences associated with sargassum accumulation along the island’s coastlines and help government develop a long-term management strategy.

“The survey will help us stop reacting and start planning,” Gumbs said, encouraging residents and businesses to participate.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (ECYS) Melissa Gumbs announced Wednesday that the Government of St. Maarten will scale back the official Flag Day 2026 ceremony due to ongoing financial constraints facing the ministry and country.
Speaking during the Council of Ministers press briefing on Wednesday, Minister Gumbs stressed that the decision was not made lightly but was necessary, as the Ministry continues to operate within what she described as a “severely constrained financial environment.”
“For full transparency, last year’s St. Maarten Day celebrations cost the Department of Culture approximately 105,000 guilders, and it is only today that payments to those locally owned businesses are being executed,” Gumbs said.
The minister explained that while budgets may allocate funds for activities, actual cash flow realities continue to impact the ministry’s ability to execute large-scale events. She noted that ECYS is not an income-generating ministry and that much of its budget is legally committed to educational obligations and school subsidies.
As a result, the ministry will replace the traditional large public Flag Day program with what Gumbs described as a “more digital, symbolic, and community-centered celebration.”
The revised observance will include student messages, a symbolic flag-hoisting ceremony, media features highlighting the history and significance of Flag Day, and recorded messages from national officials. Gumbs also said she intends to personally visit schools that were scheduled to participate in the annual parade.
Despite the scaled-back approach, Gumbs emphasized repeatedly that national pride should not depend solely on government-organized ceremonies.
“Flag Day, and indeed every national day, belongs to the people of St. Maarten,” she stated. “It belongs in our schools, in our homes, in our communities, on our cars, in our businesses, on our boats, and in the conversations we have with our children about who we are.”
The minister cited several countries, including Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, and Pakistan, that previously scaled back or canceled official national celebrations due to financial pressures, while citizens continued to celebrate independently.
Gumbs also challenged residents to take greater ownership of national pride and cultural observances.
“There were more people on the strip for IShowSpeed than there were on the side of the road to welcome home our CARIFTA athletes,” she said. “My encouragement today is simple — let St. Maarten capture that same attention.”
She further pointed to the strong participation seen during foreign national celebrations held on the island by members of the Haitian, Dominican, Guyanese, Dominican, and Aruban communities.
“The persons who find their roots and bloodlines from those countries come together, buy their flags, request permits, plan their logistics, and make it a point year after year to mark their Flag Day,” she said. “Culture is not something driven only by government.”
Calling the moment a “wake-up call,” Gumbs urged residents to visibly celebrate St. Maarten’s Flag Day by displaying flags at homes and businesses, decorating vehicles, wearing national colors, and teaching children about the importance of the country’s symbols and history.
“If 10,000 people could have found $30 for a cowboy outfit on Amazon for Bacchanal Sunday, we could find $10 for a St. Maarten flag,” she remarked.
The minister concluded by reiterating that while the format of the official observance may change this year, the meaning behind Flag Day remains unchanged.
“Yes, the ministry is scaling back the official celebration this year, but I’m also inviting the people of St. Maarten to scale up their own participation,” Gumbs said.

Bonaire’s relisting case has reached a major breakthrough of international momentum, as recently, a group of countries has engaged Member States across all continents and regions to help advance Bonaire’s case at the United Nations.
This week marks 1,100 days of sustained advocacy outside the United Nations by James Finies and Davika Bissessar Shaw of the Bonaire Human Rights Organization (BHRO) since 2022, working tirelessly within the international community to raise awareness, educate stakeholders, and build support for Bonaire’s case in the United Nations General Assembly. During this period, BHRO achieved several important recognitions, including becoming an Associate Member of the CARICOM Reparations Commission, receiving United Nations accreditation, and being awarded and honored with the “Gustavo Carvajal Moreno, Messenger of Peace” Medal of Merit.
The timing is especially significant, as current developments at both the UN and global levels have created a favorable environment for Bonaire’s case to move forward. BHRO’s advocacy has reached important international milestones and has contributed to wider discussions reflected in major global developments, including the 5th December 2025 adoption of the UN resolution establishing the International Day Against Colonialism in All Its Forms and Manifestations, to be observed annually on 14th December.
More recently, James Finies and Davika Bissessar Shaw of BHRO participated as observers in all negotiation meetings with UN Member States in a process led by the African States under the leadership of Ghana, culminating in the historic adoption of a resolution declaring the - Trafficking of Enslaved Africans and the Racialized Chattel Enslavement of Africans as the Gravest Crime against Humanity.
A major breakthrough came in late 2025, when BHRO traveled to Geneva and intervened during the Seventh Periodic Review of the Kingdom of the Netherlands before the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR). During this process, BHRO submitted information and engaged in advocacy regarding Bonaire’s human rights situation. For the first time, issues affecting Bonaire were directly raised through Bonaire civil society present in Geneva in a UN human rights review of the Netherlands, with experts questioning the Dutch delegation on matters concerning Bonaire’s social, cultural, and economic rights.
The review process highlighted serious concerns related to discrimination, inequality, language rights, social protection, and the broader socio-economic conditions affecting native Bonaireans—underscoring the urgent need to protect the rights, dignity, culture, and development of Bonaire’s indigenous and local people.
These results reflect years of sacrifice, hard work, and international advocacy by James Finies and BHRO. Today, BHRO calls on everyone—young and old, from all walks of life—to unite for positive change.
We are calling on everyone who believes in change to join us and come on board to be part of that change. One Bonaire. One Cause. One Future.
Together we are stronger. Together we can achieve more. For Bonaire. For our future.